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Weather & Climate in Ouray, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ouray has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 326 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 24.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 173.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 7,687 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,687 ft (2,343 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,199/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0275°N, 107.6733°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Ouray County County |
| Nearest Airport | Telluride Regional (TEX) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Mar 4, 2019 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M4.5 | 112 km | 1 km |
| May 27, 2000 | 29 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M4.4 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 30 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2013 | 22 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.9 | 120 km | 1 km |
| Jul 6, 1999 | 27 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.7 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Jun 3, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.7 | 113 km | 1 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 38 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2025 | 34 km W of Delta, Colorado | M3.2 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Dec 15, 1997 | 7 km ENE of La Sal, Utah | M3.2 | 135 km | 6 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 147 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 144 km | -3 km |
| Mar 15, 2000 | Colorado | M3.1 | 113 km | -1 km |
| Jun 6, 2002 | 29 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 114 km | -1 km |
| May 8, 1998 | 15 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 1998 | 23 km WNW of Naturita, Colorado | M3.0 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Utah | M3.0 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Feb 4, 1999 | 28 km E of La Sal, Utah | M3.0 | 113 km | 0 km |
| Nov 17, 2009 | 30 km WNW of Nucla, Colorado | M2.9 | 111 km | 7 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 2 km E of Loghill Village, Colorado | M2.9 | 20 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1997 | EF2 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2005 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2004 | EF1 | 99 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2004 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2002 | EF1 | 84 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2002 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1994 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 64 km |
| 2018 | 416 | 55,123 | 63 km |
| 2013 | PAPOOSE | 46,991 | 60 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE | 34,441 | 86 km |
| 2002 | BURN CANYON | 30,573 | 68 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SAND | 26,240 | 75 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 85 km |
| 2013 | WEST FORK COMPLEX | 18,775 | 86 km |
| 2012 | WEBER | 10,898 | 96 km |
| 2009 | NARRAGUINNEP | 7,798 | 94 km |
| 2019 | DOE CANYON | 7,388 | 93 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 6,205 | 91 km |
| 2017 | EIGHT FOUR TWO | 5,954 | 94 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 68 km |
| 2004 | CAMPBELL | 4,429 | 89 km |
| 2023 | LITTLE MESA | 4,048 | 88 km |
| 1994 | WAKE | 3,834 | 93 km |
| 1990 | HORESEFLY | 3,760 | 54 km |
| 1996 | DISAPPOINTMENT | 3,642 | 82 km |
| 2020 | EAST CANYON | 3,031 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 35°F (2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
Ouray has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and June the driest (1.1").